After seven long years of being absent from the Champions League, AC Milan will return to Europe’s premier competition next season after our win over Atalanta on Sunday.
The Rossoneri needed all three points in Bergamo to be sure of qualification and to avoid having to rely on results elsewhere, and Stefano Pioli saw his players complete the job in a 2-0 win.
READ MORE: Milan player ratings vs Atalanta: Kessie, Kjaer immense as Champions League qualification secured
Franck Kessie scored twice from the penalty spot to seal the victory, and now Milan can start planning their summer transfer strategy safe in the knowledge that we will be in the Champions League again and thus will benefit from the financial boosts and the prestigious pull that it will provide when attracting possible new signings.
Long wait is over for Champions League
It’s been a painful and gruelling process for Milan over the last seven years, as there have been countless struggles and close calls in our bid to get back into the top four in Serie A.
For a club with such rich history in the Champions League, it has been disappointing to be absent for so long, but we are now back where we feel we belong, and it will come as a major boost for all concerned.
The challenge now will be to ensure we are a consistent top-four side and reach the competition year in and year out, while also strengthening the squad to help us remain competitive both at home and in Europe as titles must be on our radar next.
Pioli deserves credit for turnaround
From the ‘Pioli Out’ hashtag before he was even announced as Milan boss to the numerous setbacks along the way that have raised doubts and questions over the 55-year-old for some fans.
He has overseen a significant turnaround since October 2019, as we have become a more solid, stable and consistent side that has grown and developed in terms of talent and belief while we still have a number of young players leading the way.
While it’s difficult to agree with every decision he makes, we’re in a better place now than where we were when he took charge, and as a coach, that is ultimately what he will hope to look back on when he eventually moves on.
Kessie a dominant force
For years there have been doubts over Kessie’s ability to take his game to the next level and become the dominant player that his talent and attributes had suggested he could be.
From his inability to boss games to his lack of composure in the final third, there were certainly flaws in his overall game.
However, he has come on leaps and bounds over the last two years. He is now stamping his mark on every game in midfield, and he’s had his most productive season yet with 14 goals and six assists in 50 appearances. Still only 24 years of age, he can be a pillar of this Milan side for years to come.
Kjaer leads by example
There is simply no downplaying the influence that the Danish stalwart has had on this team since he arrived, as he has been fundamental to our improvement defensively.
Milan conceded 46 goals last season, we cut that down to 41 this year while Gianluigi Donnarumma kept the equal highest number of clean sheets in Serie A.
Kjaer’s leadership, experience and defensive qualities have helped shore up a backline that had been prone to conceding too many goals, and whether it’s Alessio Romagnoli or Fikayo Tomori, the question has now become who will partner Kjaer rather than will he be in the starting line-up himself.
A key reason behind Milan’s ability to qualify for the Champions League was that we kept five consecutive clean sheets to end the season, with Kjaer at the heart of our defence.
Milan must now build on this
There will now be time to celebrate this achievement, but the hard work will start again soon for all concerned as we must now build on this and use it to our advantage to become more competitive.
Milan need to be in the Champions League consistently. Not only does the history of the club demand it, but the financial benefits are too big to operate without, especially in a post-pandemic world.
Sensible signings must be made this summer to improve the squad, and those in the current group can’t rest on this and be content as there is still much more development left in a number of players to reach their best and to take us to the next level to compete for major honours.
